"When the Boys Come Home" | |
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Song | |
Written | 1915 |
Composer(s) | Oley Speaks |
Lyricist(s) | John Hay |
"When the Boys Come Home" is a World War I song. It was first published as sheet music in 1915 with music by Oley Speaks and lyrics by John Hay.[1]
Oley Speaks composed the song. John Hay wrote the lyrics. The piece was written for both voice and piano. The song, written in first person, takes on a positive tone. The lyrics detail the happiness and celebration that will be felt when the soldiers return home from war.[2]
Another song published in 1918 with the same name had lyrics by John Hay and music by Calvin W. Laufer.[1]
The 1919 version was performed by Louis Graveure and recorded on February 13, 1919. The song was released by Columbia Records.[3] It reached the number nine spot on the US song charts in June 1919.[4]
It was performed in Richfield, Utah in 1918 by Mrs. R. G. Clark.[5] and in Allo Allo by Lieutenant Gruber.